Friday's successful landing marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Indian Army to enable the air force to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the army, the IAF spokesperson added.

Nyoma has been developed to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland.

'This (air strip) will ensure that movements in the area continue when the road traffic gets affected during the harsh winters,' he added.

It will also improve communication network in the region and facilitate the economical ferrying of supplies besides promoting tourism.

The landing comes just 15 months after an AN-32 landed at the Daulat-Beg-Oldie (DBO), the highest airfield in the world situated at an altitude of 16,200 feet, also in Ladakh region.

The IAF has been upgrading and refurbishing Advanced Landing Grounds along the border with China. India and China fought a war in 1962.